I love how these homemade cheesy breadsticks use fresh or store-bought pizza dough brushed with garlic butter, topped with a blend of melty cheeses, and baked until golden—soft inside, crisp on the edges, and irresistibly cheesy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I find these breadsticks can’t be beat because:

I can whip them up quickly using store-bought dough or prep my own ahead to save time.
They make a comforting side, appetizer, or snack that’s warm, cheesy, and garlicky.
They come together in about 20 minutes, making them perfect for when I want something homemade in a flash.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Pizza dough (homemade or store‑bought, enough for a 9×13″ or similar baking sheet)
Olive oil (to lightly coat the pan)
2–4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp garlic (minced or garlic powder)
1–2 tsp Italian seasoning (such as parsley, oregano, basil mix)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt, to taste

Directions

Preheat your oven to 425–500 °F (220–260 °C), placing a rack in the lower third.
On a lightly floured surface or parchment paper, roll the dough into a rectangle that roughly matches your pan (around 9×13″).
Brush or drizzle olive oil onto a rimmed baking sheet, then transfer the dough and gently stretch it to fit the pan.
Mix the melted butter with garlic and half the Italian seasoning, then brush this garlic butter all over the dough.
Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly on top, then finish with the remaining Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt.
Bake for 10–15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are golden brown; broil for 1 minute if you want extra browning at the end.
Allow the breadsticks to rest for 1–2 minutes after baking, then slice into 16–18 strips with a pizza cutter and serve warm.

Servings and timing

Makes about 16–18 breadsticks
Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 10–15 minutes
Total time: approximately 20–25 minutes (add about 60 minutes if you’re preparing dough from scratch)

Variations

Extra-cheesy: Fold in cheeses like colby-jack, provolone, or cheddar for a richer flavor.
Herb twist: Swap Italian seasoning for fresh herbs like parsley or basil, or use a bit of garlic powder.
Sweet version: After baking, brush with butter and dust with cinnamon-sugar for a dessert-style twist.

Storage/reheating

Refrigerator: Once cool, store in an airtight container for up to 5–7 days.
Freezer: Wrap breadsticks individually in parchment and freeze for 2–3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating: Warm in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350 °F for 5–7 minutes to maintain crispiness, or microwave briefly for convenience.

FAQs

How do I make a crispier crust?

I bake them on a preheated pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet and finish with a one-minute broil to get that perfect crunch.

Can I use canned or fresh store‑bought dough?

Absolutely! I often use fresh dough from the grocery store—it’s quick and delivers great results.

What can I use if I don’t have fresh garlic?

I just mix garlic powder into the butter—it works wonderfully and keeps it simple.

Can I prepare these ahead of time?

Yes—I sometimes stretch the dough and refrigerate it a few hours before topping and baking. You can also freeze the dough or frozen finished sticks.

What dips go well with these breadsticks?

I love serving them with warm marinara, ranch dressing, or extra garlic butter for dipping.

Conclusion

I’m always delighted by how easy yet satisfying these cheesy breadsticks are. With minimal effort, I get warm, garlicky bread filled with melty cheese that’s perfect alongside pasta, soup, or just as a snack. They’ve quickly become a regular in my kitchen—easy to adapt, quick to bake, and impossible to resist.